Suffolk Resolves (1774)

With British oppression escalating, leaders within Suffolk County, Massachusetts, approved nineteen resolutions.The Resolutions were carried to Philadelphia and endorsed by the Continental Congress.

“… the most sacred obligations are upon us to transmit [this new World]… unfettered by power, unclogged with shackles, to our innocent and beloved offspring. …if we arrest the hand which would ransack our pockets… if we successfully resist that unparalleled usurpation of unconstitutional power… posterity will acknowledge that virtue which preserved them free and happy...Therefore, we have resolved…

2. That it is an indispensable duty which we owe to God, our country, ourselves and posterity, by all lawful ways and means in our power to maintain, defend and preserve those civil and religious rights and liberties, for which many of our fathers fought, bled and died, and to hand them down entire to future generations…

11. … for the honor, defense and security of this county and province, advise… persons, be elected in each town as officers in the militia… and that the inhabitants of those towns and districts, who are qualified, do use their utmost diligence to acquaint themselves with the art of war…

15. … it is incumbent on us to encourage arts [trades] and manufactures amongst us, by all means in our power…

18. … we would heartily recommend to all persons of this community, not to engage in any routs, riots, or licentious attacks upon the properties of any person whatsoever… our conduct shall be such as to merit the approbation of the wise, and the admiration of the brave and free of every age and of every country.”Journals of Congress, September 17, 1774

“Last Friday Mr. [Paul] Revere brought us the spirited and patriotic Resolves of your County of Suffolk.We laid them before the Congress.They were read with great applause…”Samuel Adams, Letter to Charles Chauncy, September 19, 1774